This new short novel throws teenager Dylan Engstrom into a strange world of adventure, wonder, and terror. There, he finds himself with a group of aliens who have also been brought there to fight their way through an endless series of combat scenarios. They quickly begin working out a way to escape, but will it lead them to freedom, or to even worse danger?

Dramatis Personae

Dylan EngstromTeenage geek who spent his last moments on Earth sitting at his desk with a mug of coffee and a plan to pass the evening with some online gaming. He fell asleep unexpectedly, abruptly, and when he woke, he was surrounded by aliens and the games were all too real.

GrishnagAlien female whose species somewhat resemble orcs, from a planet so incredibly hostile to life that her people were more than happy to relocate to Earth and let a handful of corporations strip-mine the entire world. Grishnag thought her better days were far behind her, but finds reasons in this alien "arena" to begin living again ... if the games don't kill her first.

NisharaTwenty-foot naga-like alien whose people are technologically quite primitive. Overwhelmed at first by the life forms and advanced technology she suddenly found all around her, she adapts quickly, forms strong bonds with her fellow abductees, and doesn't hesitate to join them in a final battle to fight their way to freedom.

SyalaYoung alien woman with obsidian skin and glowing eyes who never quite fit in among her own species, but finds immediate acceptance in the small group of abductees as they fight for survival.

CoraSentient AI in a humanoid robot body. She and her ship, the EIS Mae Jemison, were taken from a space station orbiting the planet Epsilon Reticuli b. Being a synth gives her a unique advantage and makes her the key to figuring out what's going on and how to escape.

ZilakaAnother alien from a technologically-primitive species resembling minotaurs with some equine features mixed in. Quiet and somewhat meek at first, she finds an inner strength and throws herself into their attempt to escape.

AyastalTen-foot-tall, wingless dragon from a primitive planet that's also home to an outpost of "sky-people." When she was young, she would often sneak away and spend the whole day watching their flying machines coming and going, and wished she could ride one of them into the sky. Now that she's actually on another world, it's not quite the wondrous adventure she expected it to be.